Gannett buys ShopLocal

Gannett Co. today announced it had acquired ShopLocal LLC, a marketing and database services company.

In separate transactions, Gannett acquired the ownership stakes of partners Tribune Company and The McClatchy Company in ShopLocal. McClatchy said it sold its stake for $7.9 million, according to a statement, which would have placed a value of about $52.5 million on the whole venture. It said the sale would be used to reduce debt.

Gannett said ShopLocal will work in conjunction with Gannett's Internet media company PointRoll to create ads for retailers.

Jason Tafler, CEO of PointRoll, said the combined resources of his company and ShopLocal would allow their retailer clients to more effectively target consumers.

“It will combine the targeted data and ad serving of ShopLocal and the reporting analytic capabilities of PointRoll,” he said. “To create a real end-to-end marketing solution for retailers.”

Gannett believes the new partnership will allow for greater client service for companies using ShopLocal and PointRoll, said Chris Saridakis, SVP and chief digital officer for Gannett in a statement.